Multidrug-resistant Mycolicibacterium fortuitum infection in a companion cat (Felis silvestris catus) in Brazil

Abstract

Mycolicibacterium fortuitum is a fast-growing bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen implicated in human and animal infections. Here we report the first case and genetic characterization of a strain of M. fortuitum isolated from skin lesions of a companion cat with atypical cutaneous mycobacteriosis in Brazil. In addition, the genome of this strain was sequenced, representing the first genome of this opportunistic pathogen isolated from an animal infection. The in silico and in vitro analysis regarding antibiotic resistance of this strain showed an intrinsic multiresistance antibiotic profile. However, this strain showed sensitivity to amikacin and ciprofloxacin, and the cat was treated long-term with these drugs.

Comparative genome analysis reveals high-level drug resistance markers in a clinical isolate of Mycobacterium fortuitum subsp. fortuitum MF GZ001

“…We have found SNPs in drug resistance-related genes such as rpoB, arr, AAC(2’)-Ib, katG, gyrA, gyrB, embB, blaF, thyA, embC and embR that are previously reported in M. fortuitum and other mycobacterium species ( Nash et al., 2005 ; Ramon-Garcia et al., 2006 ). For instance, among them recently reported, the ribosylation ADP-ribosyltransferase arr gene in M. fortuitum 7G was linked to the high level of RIF resistance which is consistent with our findings ( Morgado et al., 2022a ). A mutation in the rpoB gene’s particular region known as the rifampin-resistance-determining region (RRDR) leads to the emergence of RIF resistance in NTM and M. tuberculosis ( Saxena et al., 2021 ).…”

“…Importantly, the SNPs found in genes of MF GZ001, for example, iniA, iniC, pncA , and ribD conferring resistance to isoniazid, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, para-aminosalicylic acid, and isoniazid resistance respectively, are not commonly observed in RGM. We have reported a mutation in a distinctive gene aph (3”)-Ic that is related to streptomycin resistance which is consistent with other studies ( Morgado et al., 2022a ). The aph (3”)-Ic distinctive gene was first reported in environmental M. fortuitum and later in clinical isolates as well ( Ramon-Garcia et al., 2006 ; Morgado et al., 2022b ).…”

“…We have reported a mutation in a distinctive gene aph (3”)-Ic that is related to streptomycin resistance which is consistent with other studies ( Morgado et al., 2022a ). The aph (3”)-Ic distinctive gene was first reported in environmental M. fortuitum and later in clinical isolates as well ( Ramon-Garcia et al., 2006 ; Morgado et al., 2022b ). We anticipate that further investigation of the novel SNPs in iniA, iniC, ribD, pncA , and aph (3”)-Ic detected in this study are necessary to explore their role in the development of resistance.…”

“…These genes may only be found in the MF GZ001 strain and M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Recently, Luo et al., reported that the secretion proteins locus ESX-1, ESX-3, and ESX-5 are crucial for virulence in M. tuberculosis ( Luo et al., 2022 ) and were found in the MF GZ001 strain which is consistent with the previous report ( Gharbi et al., 2021 ; Morgado et al., 2022b ). Therefore, the MF GZ001 genome sequence will provide insights into M. fortuitum complex potential pathogenesis.…”

Taxonomic distribution of SbmA/BacA and BacA-like antimicrobial peptide transporters suggests independent recruitment and convergent evolution in host-microbe interactions

“…However, many can form beneficial associations with diverse hosts, such as the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between Nostoc and plants (45), the mutualistic relationship with fungi (forming lichens), and with sponges (46). The order Mycobacteriales includes important human and plant pathogens (e.g., Mycobacterium , Rhodococcoides ) (47), and opportunistic pathogens (e.g., Mycolicibacterium ) (48). The class Negativicutes is poorly studied despite its peculiar nature, as these Firmicutes possess an outer membrane and a LPS (49).…”